Ski Touring Weekend – 2025

Skiing onto the Neve with the Gargoyles and Ring Creek in the background

A multi day Ski Touring trip in the backcountry is easier than most people realize. You will be able to ski areas that few other people visit, and experience the amazing feelings of a night under the stars in the comfort of your ski camp. In addition to some great skiing and exploring new areas, you will learn how to plan and prepare for a winter overnight trip, route finding skills, avalanche hazard awareness, camp selection and skiing techniques.

Register Today

$345.00

Dates:
Course includes an evening classroom Zoom session scheduled on Wednesday night from 6-8 pm, before the field-trip in order to assist with preparation. Please confirm in the Dates tabbed-section for details.
Pre Requisites:
No previous backcountry skiing experience is required, but participants must be strong-intermediate skiers or snowboarders; previous overnight summer backpacking experience is required.
Category:
  • Cost: $345 + GST
    Included in course cost:
    • All instruction by Professional Guide/Instructors
    • 2 days of direct instruction plus 2 hour prep session
    • Use of our 4-season Mountain Tents (if required)
    • Instructional manuals (incl. CAA "Avaluator")
    • Use of our avalanche beacons
    • Use of G3 probe
    • Use of G3 Avi-tech shovel
    • Use of G3 "Bonesaw" snowsaw
  • Dates for Ski Touring Weekend 2025
    • Jan 11-12, 2025 (* Wed, Jan 8 evening session)
    • Feb 15-16, 2025 (* Wed, Feb 12 evening session)
    • Mar 8-9, 2025 (* Wed, Mar 5 evening session)
    • Mar 29-30, 2025 (* Wed, Mar 26 evening session)

    All dates marked with an asterisk (*) are evening seminars held on Zoom from 6-8 pm. If you cannot attend these sessions, please notify our office in order to make alternate arrangements to cover the required pre-trip material, including logistics.

  • Students are responsible for getting to and from the course areas.

    The group will meet on the first field day at a pre-arranged location. The actual location of the backcountry tour will be chosen closer to the course dates and is based on snow conditions, weather forecasts and avalanche forecasts. You will receive a Pre-trip package approx. 1 week in advance of the course with more details on the specific destination.

    Backcountry destinations for the Ski Touring Weekend course typically include the following:
    • Marriot Basin, off the Duffy Lake Road past Pemberton
    • Cerise Creek, also off the Duffy Lake Road
    • Elfin Lakes and Diamond Head region in Garibaldi Park, above Squamish
    • Singing Pass and the Musical Bumps in Garibaldi Park, behind Whistler Mountain
    • Coquihalla Pass, between Hope and Merrit
  • Our format includes one evening session in advance of the two field days. This first 2-hour session provides a chance for everyone to meet one another as well as an overview of the course including equipment selection and review, discussion of the specific location, hazard awareness, menu planning and food prep and logistics planning.

    The first field day is spent touring into the backcountry to establish a base camp. Skills covered will include equipment use, route finding, track setting, avalanche safety, weather and snowpack observations, campsite selection, winter camp set-up and backcountry hazard awareness.

    After camp is established on Day-1 there is usually time to head out and work on some skiing technique and get some turns in!

    Day-2 will provide an opportunity to go for a 3-4 hour tour and work on more skiing technique, route finding, avalanche skills and generally gain more backcountry experience under the guidance of your Instructor.

    Participants should plan on returning to the trailhead at approximately 4 pm at the end of Day-2

  • CWMS Gear List for overnight Ski Touring - Canada West Mountain School Ski Touring Gear List

    The Ski Touring course includes a pre-trip planning and preparation class session in advance of the field trip that will cover gear, food prep and logistics. Each participant will receive a thorough pre-trip planning package in advance of the course as well.

    If you have any questions, please contact our office directly at any time to discuss with our staff.

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